§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what provision his Department is making for improving education on diabetes to patients and their families; and what advice he has given to regional health authorities on providing education programmes for diabetics.
§ Mr. John PattenClearly the education of diabetics about the condition and its implications is an important part of their treatment. It must be a matter for the doctor responsible for the patient to ensure that the patient is fully informed and trained to cope with this condition.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what provision his Department is making for promoting the screening of eyes of diabetics.
§ Mr. John PattenThere is growing acceptance within the Health Service of the importance of screening patients with diabetes for diabetic retinopathy, a major cause of visual handicap. The Department is funding a multicentre project to establish the most effective means of organising screening programmes.